Eyelash curling device

ABSTRACT

An eyelash curling device. The eyelash curling device may comprise: two eye mask portions, two paddings, and a strap. The two eye mask portions may be shaped and contoured to substantially cover both eyes of a user. The two paddings may be coupled or integrated to the two eye mask portions. The two paddings may be curved, such that the interior surface of the two eye mask portions is substantially concave in shape. The two paddings may be adapted to contact and bend one or more eyelashes of the user such that the one or more eyelashes are held in a curled position when the eyelash curling device is worn by the user. The strap may be coupled to the left eye mask portion and the right eye mask portion, such that the eyelash curling device also functions as an eye mask worn by the user when the user rests.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/159,896, filed on May 11, 2015, titled “Eyelash Curling Device”, by inventor Colleen L. Koningh, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in their entirety.

FIELD OF USE

The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for curling eyelashes, and more specifically, to an eye mask adapted to curl eyelashes when worn by the user.

BACKGROUND

Eyelash curling devices are well-known in the cosmetic field. These devices are generally mechanical handheld devices that are used to curl or bend eyelashes away from an eye in order to make the eyelashes appear longer and to accentuate the eye.

In general, conventional eyelash curlers are hand-operated and are usually directed to only curling the upper eyelashes. Prior to its use, the eyelash curler may also be heated (e.g., with a self-heating battery-operating units or with a hair dryer) to help the eyelash take to the curling process.

Other conventional curlers may also curl the upper lid eyelashes of an eye by using a tweezer- or scissor-like device. Specifically, one end of these curling devices may consist a clamp-like mechanism, comprising upper and lower jaws that have pads contoured to the shape of the eyelid. At the other end, is a scissors-like handle used to actuate the clamp. Once the user places her eyelashes on the pads, the user may compress and curl the lashes by squeezing the handle.

Unfortunately, these eyelash curlers have several limitations. For example, although a user may obtain a “better curl” by holding and curling the eyelashes longer, maintaining a grip for a conventional curler is usually very difficult and impractical. Moreover, conventional eyelash curlers only impart a curl for a short period of time. As a result, the curl will typically flatten out after only a few hours.

Thus, what is needed is an eyelash curling device that is capable of being applied for an extended period of time. Preferably, the eyelash curling device may be used when a user is resting or asleep.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

To minimize the limitations in the cited references, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present specification discloses a new and improved eyelash curling device. The new eyelash curling device may be used as a sleep mask that engages and curls the eyelashes of the wearer.

One embodiment may be an eyelash curling device, comprising: one or more eye mask portions; and one or more paddings; wherein the one or more eye mask portions may be shaped to substantially cover one or more eyes of a user; wherein the one or more paddings may be positioned on an interior surface of the one or more eye mask portions; and wherein the one or more paddings may be configured to contact and bend one or more eyelashes of the user, such that the one or more eyelashes are held in a curled position when the eyelash curling device is worn by the user. The eyelash curling device may further comprise a strap; wherein the strap may be coupled to the one or more eye mask portions, such that the eyelash curling device is configured to be securably attached to the user. The one or more eye mask portions may be two eye mask portions, a left eye mask portion and a right eye mask portion. The interior surface of the one or more eye mask portions may be substantially concave in shape. The one or more paddings may be adapted to removably attach to the interior surface of the one or more eye mask portions. Each of the one or more paddings may be integrally formed with each of the one or more eye mask portions as a single unitary piece. The strap may be elastic and adjustable. The one or more paddings may be curved and contoured to a shape of an eyelid of a user and may be disposed at a lower portion of the one or more eye mask portions. The eyelash curling device may further comprise a nose strap, which may be coupled to and disposed between the left eye mask portion and the right eye mask portion.

Another embodiment may be an eyelash curling device, comprising: two eye mask portions; two paddings; and a strap; wherein the two eye mask portions may be shaped and contoured to substantially cover both eyes of a user; wherein the two paddings may be positioned at an interior surface of the two eye mask portions; wherein the two paddings may be configured to contact and bend one or more eyelashes of the user such that the one or more eyelashes are held in a curled position when the eyelash curling device is worn by the user; and wherein the strap may be coupled to the left eye mask portion and the right eye mask portion, such that the eyelash curling device may be configured to securably attach to the user. The one or more paddings may be curved and contoured to a shape of an eyelid of a user and may be disposed at a lower portions of the one or more eye mask portions. The one or more paddings may be adapted to removably attach to the one or more eye mask portions. Each of the one or more paddings may be integrally formed with each of the one or more eye mask portions as a single unitary piece. The strap may be elastic and adjustable. The eyelash curling device may further comprise, a nose strap, which may be coupled and disposed between the left eye mask portion and the right eye mask portion.

Another embodiment may be an eyelash curling device, comprising: a left eye mask portion; a right eye mask portion; and a strap; wherein the left eye mask portion and the right eye mask portion may be shaped and contoured to substantially cover both eyes of a user; wherein the left eye mask portion may comprise a left eye padding integrally formed with the left eye mask portion as a single unitary piece; wherein the right eye mask portion may comprise a right eye padding integrally formed with the right eye mask portion as a single unitary piece; wherein the left eye padding and the right eye padding may be adapted to contact and bend one or more eyelashes of the user such that the one or more eyelashes may be held in a curled position when the eyelash curling device is worn by the user; and wherein the strap may be coupled to the left eye mask portion and the right eye mask portion, such that the eyelash curling device may be configured to securably attach to the user. The left eye padding may be curved and contoured to a shape of a left eyelid of the user and may be disposed at a lower portion of the left eye mask portion; and wherein the right eye padding may be contoured to a shape of a right eyelid of the user and may be disposed at a lower portion of the right eye mask portion. The strap may be elastic and adjustable. The eyelash curling device may further comprise, a nose strap, which may be coupled and disposed between the left eye mask portion and the right eye mask portion.

The eyelash curling device may be an eye mask designed to curl eyelashes of a user while the user is resting or asleep. The eyelash curling device may comprise: a polyester and polyurethane foam contoured mask that is adapted to cover one or more eyes of the user and an adjustable head strap for securing the mask over the head of the user. The contoured eye mask may be constructed from a pressure mold, which may impart an overall oval shape over each eye. The interior surface of the eyelash curling device may comprise padding that functions as eyelash curling pieces adapted to engage with the eyelashes of the user. When worn for a long period of time, such as during a period of sleep, the paddings may hold the eyelashes in a curled position, such that when the eyelash curling device is removed the engaged eyelashes hold their curled shape.

It is an object to provide an eye mask that curls eyelashes of a user when worn.

It is an object to overcome the limitations of the prior art.

Other features and advantages inherent in the eyelash curling device, as claimed and disclosed will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show illustrative embodiments, but do not depict all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted for the purpose of saving space or for more effective illustrations. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without some or all components or steps provided in the illustrations. When different drawings contain the same numeral, that numeral refers to the same or similar components or steps.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an interior perspective view of one embodiment of the eyelash curling device.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exterior perspective view of one embodiment of the eyelash curling device.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an interior perspective view of another embodiment of the eyelash curling device.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exterior perspective view of another embodiment of the eyelash curling device.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view of another embodiment of the eyelash curling device and shows the eyelash curling device with a decorative overlay.

FIG. 6a-6b is an illustration of a side view of an eye with and without the eyelash curling device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the embodiment of the eyelash curling device. However, these embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known procedures and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

While some embodiments are disclosed here, other embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art as a result of the following detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications of various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. The Figures, and their detailed descriptions, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of these embodiments. For purposes of this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, may refer to a deviance of between 1-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an interior perspective view of one embodiment of the eyelash curling device. As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the eyelash curling device 100 may be shaped as an eye mask or sleep mask designed to cover the eyes of the wearer when the wearer is resting or sleeping. However, it shall be appreciated that the eyelash curling device 100 may be used at any time and in any location such as a home, business, airport, waiting room, or the like. Although FIG. 1 shows an eyelash curling device 100 for covering both eyes, the eyelash curling device 100 may be a single eye patch that only covers a single eye. FIG. 1 shows that the eyelash curling device 100 may comprise two separate eye mask portions, a left eye mask portion 105 and a right eye mask portion 106, connected together by a nose strap 110 (also called a nose piece or nose portion). The nose strap 110 may be disposed between and/or connect the eye mask portions 105, 106 to prevent the eyelash curling device 100 from slipping off the nose of the user. The nose strap 110 may be constructed from an elastic and pliable material to conform to the nose of the user. In this manner, the nose strap 110 may be adjusted to shorten or lengthen the overall length of the nose strap 110 to allow adjustment of the spacing between the eye mask portions 105, 106 in accordance with the preference of the user.

FIG. 1 also shows that the interior surface of the eye mask portions 105, 106 may be generally concave in shape to complement the convex shape of the eyeball. The interior surface 115 of the eye mask portions 105, 106 may comprise additional paddings 120, 121, which may be adapted to engage with the eyelashes of the user. Although the paddings 120, 121 may be removably attached to the eye mask portions 105, 106, the paddings 120, 121 may also be integrated to the eye mask portions 105, 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the paddings 120, 121 may be located on the bottom half or part of the eye mask portions 105, 106 and may be generally convex in shape to support and curl the eyelashes of the user. Moreover, the paddings 120, 121 may be preferably configured with a curvature generally corresponding to the shape of an eyelid. The paddings 120, 121 may be constructed from polyurethane foam, memory foam, or the like. However, the paddings 120, 121 may also serve as guards and give sufficient structural firmness or rigidity to the eyelash curling device 100, particularly when side sleeping, to hold the eyelashes in a curled position away from the eyes of the user. The paddings 120, 121 may also comprise a therapeutic material such as oils used in aromatherapy, moisturizers, or the like, to protect and condition the eyelashes of the user. The paddings 120, 121 are preferably configured to be located in the interior of the eye mask portions 105, 106, such that they comfortably engage with the eyelashes of the user, as shown in FIG. 6B.

The strap 125 or head strap may be a single strap or multiple straps. FIG. 1, for instance, shows that the strap 125 may comprise a left head strap 126 and a right head strap 127. The left head strap 126 and the right head strap 127 may be generally attached to the left edge 135 and the right edge 136 of the eyelash curling device 100. The left head strap 126 and the right head strap 127 may also mutually fasten to each other via a fastener 130 (e.g., hook and loop fasteners) to secure the eyelash curling device 100 around the head of the user. Although a strap 125 with a hook and loop fastener 130 is presently preferred, any suitable means for providing a strap 125 that is comfortable enough to wear while resting or sleeping may be employed. In this manner, the head strap 125 may be adjusted to shorten or lengthen the overall length of the strap for tight or loose fitting. Preferably, the eyelash curling device 100 may be placed over the eyes of the user and the strap 125 may be secured around the head of the user in a stationary and comfortable position.

The eyelash curling device 100 may be constructed as a single layer or multiple layers of materials. For example, in one embodiment, a single layer may be polyurethane foam, memory foam, cotton, spandex, satin, silk, polyester, or any other material or combination of soft and flexible materials now known or later developed. Alternatively, the eyelash curling device 100 may be constructed of an inner foam layer surrounded by one or more outer fabric layers. The inner foam layer may comprise polyurethane foam, memory foam, or the like. The outer fabric layer may comprise cotton, spandex, satin, silk, polyester, or any other material or combination of materials now known or later developed. In other embodiments, the eyelash curling device 100 may be contoured and created from a pressure mold, which preferably imparts an overall oval shape over each eye of the user. Preferably, the eyelash curling device 100 is flexible and soft while conforming to the face of the user.

In order to properly use the eyelash curling device 100, the user generally dons the eyelash curling device 100 and then positions each eye mask portion 105, 106 such that the paddings 120, 121 are in close proximity to the eyes of the user. The user then closes his/her eyes so that his/her eyelashes contact the paddings 120, 121. As a result, the eyelashes are bent away from the eyes of the user and towards the eyelids. In this manner, the eyelashes are preferably held in a curled position so long as the eyelash curling device 100 is held in place. The eyelash curling device 100 may be reversible, with the interior surface of the eyelash curling device 100 being different in shape and/or material than the exterior or outer surface. The eyelash curling device 100 generally provides the user with a mechanism to have beautifully curled eyelashes just by resting or sleeping.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exterior perspective view of one embodiment of the eyelash curling device. As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the eyelash curling device 100 may comprise two eye mask portions 105, 106—a left eye mask portion 105 and a right eye mask portion 106—coupled together via a nose strap 110 and strap 125. The exterior surface 200 of the eye mask portions 105, 106 may impart an overall oval or convex shape to cover each eye of the user. Although the eyelash curling device 100 is designed to cover the eyes of the user and curl the eyelashes of the user, the user may reverse the eyelash curling device 100 to cover the eyes of the user without having to curl the eyelashes.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an interior perspective view of another embodiment of the eyelash curling device. As shown in FIG. 3, another embodiment of the eyelash curling device 300 may be of a unitary design. The left eye mask portion 305 and the right eye mask portion 306 may be coupled together or joined via a bridge 310, which may be narrow, thin, and/or malleable to conform to the nose of the user. The bridge 310 may also be used to minimize the transfer of light to the eyes of the user. The eye mask portions 305, 306 and the bridge 310 may also be constructed of the same material.

The interior surface 320 of the eye mask portions 305, 306 may comprise additional paddings 315, 316, which may be configured to engage the eyelashes of the user. As shown in FIG. 3, the paddings 315, 316—left eye padding 315, right eye padding 316—and may be integrated within the left eye mask portion 305 and right eye mask portion 305, respectively. Although the paddings 315, 316 may be located on the bottom half of the eye mask portions 305, 306, the paddings 315, 316 may also be located around different areas of the eye mask portions 305, 306 such as the top half, middle, or entire interior surface of the eye mask portions 305, 306. The paddings 315, 316 may be generally convex in shape to engage both the top and bottom eyelashes of the user and to provide the user with a mechanism to have beautifully curled eyelashes just by resting or sleeping. Additionally, the eyelash curling device 300 may be include a strap that is elastic and adjustable for fastening the eyelash curling device 300 over the eyes of the user.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exterior perspective view of another embodiment of the eyelash curling device. As shown in FIG. 4, another embodiment of the eyelash curling device 300 may be a unitary design comprising a left eye mask portion 305 and a right eye mask portion 306. Importantly, FIG. 4 shows that another embodiment of the eyelash curling device 300 may lack a nose strap but may comprise a bridge 310 for engaging onto the nose of a user. The eyelash curling device 300 may also be securely held around the head of the user via a strap 405. Although the interior surface 400 of the eye mask portions 305, 306 may impart an overall oval or convex shape over each eye of the user, the interior surface 400 may also be flat and malleable.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view of another embodiment of the eyelash curling device and shows the eyelash curling device with a decorative overlay. As shown in FIG. 5, another embodiment of the eyelash curling device 500 may be comprise gemstones 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507 in order to make the eyelash curling device 500 more aesthetically pleasing. The eyelash curling device 500 may also comprise a decorative overlay 505 on the interior and/or the exterior surface of the eye mask portions 515, 516 to further increase the decorative aspects of the eyelash curling device 500. The decorative overlay 505 may be manufactured onto or coupled to the eye mask portions 515, 516. For example, the decorative overlay 505 may be stitched, glued, or bounded to the eye mask portions 515, 516. The decorative overlay 505 may also be any design in any color deemed suitable. The decorative overlay 505, for instance, may be leopard print, as shown in FIG. 5.

The eye mask portions 515 may be a left eye mask portion 520, and eye mask portion 516 may be a right eye mask portion 521, both of which may extend past the eyes of the user when worn. A strap, as shown in FIG. 1, may be coupled to the edge of left eye mask portion 520 and right eye mask portion 521 to securely hold the mask 500 in position on the face of the user in a conventional fashion.

FIG. 6a-6b is an illustration of a side view of an eye with and without the eyelash curling device. As shown in FIG. 6a , the face of a user may have eyebrow 602, upper eyelid 604, lower eyelid 610, eyeball 700, upper eyelashes 606, and lower eyelashes 608. FIG. 6b shows that the user has donned the eyelash curling device 680, which has padding 696. FIG. 6b shows that the user has positioned the eye mask device 680, such that the padding 696 is in close proximity to the eye 700 of the user. The user has closed his/her eyelids 604, 610 so that his/her eyelashes 606, 608 contact the padding 696. As a result, the eyelashes 606, 608 are bent or curled away from the padding 696 and towards the eyelids 604, 610. In this manner, the eyelashes are preferably held in a curled position so long as the eyelash curling device 680 is held in place. The eyelash curling device 680 generally provides the user with a mechanism to have beautifully curled eyelashes just by resting or sleeping.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 

I claim:
 1. An eyelash curling device, comprising: one or more eye mask portions; and one or more paddings; wherein said one or more eye mask portions are shaped to substantially cover one or more eyes of a user; wherein said one or more paddings are positioned on an interior surface of said one or more eye mask portions; and wherein said one or more paddings are configured to contact and bend one or more eyelashes of said user, such that said one or more eyelashes are held in a curled position when said eyelash curling device is worn by said user.
 2. The eyelash curling device of claim 1, further comprising a strap; wherein said strap is coupled to said one or more eye mask portions, such that said eyelash curling device is configured to be securably attached to said user.
 3. The eyelash curling device of claim 2, wherein said one or more eye mask portions are two eye mask portions, a left eye mask portion and a right eye mask portion.
 4. The eyelash curling device of claim 1, wherein said interior surface of said one or more eye mask portions is substantially concave in shape.
 5. The eyelash curling device of claim 1, wherein said one or more paddings are adapted to removably attach to said interior surface of said one or more eye mask portions.
 6. The eyelash curling device of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more paddings are integrally formed with each of said one or more eye mask portions as a single unitary piece.
 7. The eyelash curling device of claim 2, wherein said strap is elastic and adjustable.
 8. The eyelash curling device of claim 1, wherein said one or more paddings are curved and contoured to a shape of an eyelid of a user and disposed at a lower portion of said one or more eye mask portions.
 9. The eyelash curling device of claim 3, further comprising a nose strap, which is coupled to and disposed between said left eye mask portion and said right eye mask portion.
 10. An eyelash curling device, comprising: two eye mask portions; two paddings; and a strap; wherein said two eye mask portions are shaped and contoured to substantially cover both eyes of a user; wherein said two paddings are positioned at an interior surface of said two eye mask portions; wherein said two paddings are configured to contact and bend one or more eyelashes of said user such that said one or more eyelashes are held in a curled position when said eyelash curling device is worn by said user; and wherein said strap is coupled to said left eye mask portion and said right eye mask portion, such that said eyelash curling device is configured to securably attach to said user.
 11. The eyelash curling device of claim 10, wherein said one or more paddings are curved and contoured to a shape of an eyelid of a user and disposed at a lower portions of said one or more eye mask portions.
 12. The eyelash curling device of claim 10, wherein said one or more paddings are adapted to removably attach to said one or more eye mask portions.
 13. The eyelash curling device of claim 10, wherein each of said one or more paddings are integrally formed with each of said one or more eye mask portions as a single unitary piece.
 14. The eyelash curling device of claim 10, wherein said strap is elastic and adjustable.
 15. The eyelash curling device of claim 10, further comprising, a nose strap, which is coupled and disposed between said left eye mask portion and said right eye mask portion.
 16. An eyelash curling device, comprising: a left eye mask portion; a right eye mask portion; and a strap; wherein said left eye mask portion and said right eye mask portion are shaped and contoured to substantially cover both eyes of a user; wherein said left eye mask portion comprises a left eye padding integrally formed with said left eye mask portion as a single unitary piece; wherein said right eye mask portion comprises a right eye padding integrally formed with said right eye mask portion as a single unitary piece; wherein said left eye padding and said right eye padding are adapted to contact and bend one or more eyelashes of said user such that said one or more eyelashes are held in a curled position when said eyelash curling device is worn by said user; and wherein said strap is coupled to said left eye mask portion and said right eye mask portion, such that said eyelash curling device is configured to securably attach to said user.
 17. The eyelash curling device of claim 16, wherein said left eye padding is curved and contoured to a shape of a left eyelid of said user and disposed at a lower portion of said left eye mask portion; and wherein said right eye padding is contoured to a shape of a right eyelid of said user and disposed at a lower portion of said right eye mask portion.
 18. The eyelash curling device of claim 16, wherein said strap is elastic and adjustable.
 19. The eyelash curling device of claim 16, further comprising, a nose strap, which is coupled and disposed between said left eye mask portion and said right eye mask portion. 